IMCA, IIMS, and the Workboat Association join forces to launch the International Workboat Code of Practice
Working with good industry friends, the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) and the Workboat Association, IIMS is pleased to announce the publication of the International Workboat Code of Practice, extending to 122 pages. The publication is designed to assist those involved in operating, building and surveying workboats with some best-practice industry guidance.
The International Workboat Code of Practice is a Good Practice Guide, created in collaboration between the International Marine Contractors Association, the International Institute of Marine Surveying and the Workboat Association. It is intended to establish a comprehensive safety and operational framework and guidance for commercially operated workboats at sea and in regional waters. It covers crewed vessels as well as remotely operated unmanned vessels (ROUVs), while excluding underwater vessels and craft used for sport or pleasure. Its stated objective is to provide a benchmark level of safety and environmental protection appropriate to modern commercial workboat operations globally.
The Code places primary accountability on the vessel owner/operator and Master. Owners/operators are responsible for ensuring vessels are appropriately designed, constructed, maintained, inspected, certified and manned, and for conducting risk assessments that address the intended operation, local conditions, equipment and the vulnerability of asset, environment, public, and persons on board.
The Code places considerable emphasis on people and organisational controls, not only design and construction. It addresses PPE, safe work practices, personnel competency and familiarisation, emergency drills, preparedness and medical provision, training and formal safety-management arrangements. Industrial personnel must meet defined medical, training, familiarisation and PPE expectations before undertaking offshore voyages.
IIMS CEO, Mike Schwarz, said, “Whilst standards and regulations surrounding workboats and their safe operation are plentiful and extensive in some parts of the world, this is by no means the case in certain countries. Working in close collaboration with our friends and partners, IMCA and the Workboat Association, we have produced the detailed International Workboat Code of Practice guidance to support those engaged in a growing industry sector where only limited regulations and advice may exist in many territories.”
Download the code of practice: International Workboat Code Of Practice